Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Storyville

"You could take a New Orleans river cruise on the Steamboat Natchez, grab a drink at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, visit Louis Armstrong Park, or take a class at the New Orleans school of cooking, to name a few. Better yet, for the best of both worlds, choose a half day tour option from among the most popular New Orleans day trips and spend the other half of your last day back in New Orleans."

"New Orleans, Louisiana, isn’t particularly known for being lush with greenery. That’s probably why Louis Armstrong Park is one of the top green tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer. It’s close to the teeming French Quarter so isn’t far displaced from the cultural aspects of the city, and with a huge 32-acre space, it’s often become the home of events and festivals."

"The iconic gate entrance to City Park is directly across from the famous Ralph’s on the Park. City Park, the largest park in New Orleans, contains 1,300-acres of land and is home to live oaks that are over 800 years old. The Carousel Gardens, a fun filled amusement park for kids and adults, contains a 100-year-old Carousel (flying horses as they are called by New Orleanians)."

"In City Park twirling amongst the Spanish Moss Though all of the above are fantastic options for your New Orleans itinerary, here are a few more:"

"Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is an expanse of land in the historically diverse Louisiana Mississippi River Delta that protects a rich array of natural and cultural resources endemic to the region. Named after the pirate, Jean Lafitte, the park consists of six physically separate sites, namely the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, the Barataria Preserve in Marrero, the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery in Chalmette, the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, and the French Quarter Visitor Center in New Orleans. Together, these six sections explore the history of the area and tell the story of the diverse cultures that inhabited and developed it."

"Marrero/French QuarterNamed after famed privateer Jean Lafitte (whose pirate treasure is still totally up for grabs, by the way), Lafitte National Park displays the beauty and complexity of the local ecosystem at its best. And by “ecosystem,” we of course mean “swamp.” As part of the National Park Service, it is free to the public. And though it may be only a 30- to 45-minute drive from the city to the park’s Barataria Preserve site -- spanning 23,000 acres -- entering the preserve is like being thrown into Jurassic Park."

"If nature and sightseeing are up your alley, you’ll want to check out the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, which spans 22,241 acres and covers six different spots in New Orleans. Among the interesting spots within the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve are the different biomes, such as swamps, prairies, and bayous. There is also the Battle of New Orleans site within park grounds."

"This 1.4-mile, 20-acre urban park on the riverfront offers landscaped gardens, a dog park, walking paths, public restrooms, swings, and panoramic downtown views. Don't miss the David Adjaye-designed Piety Street Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that rises above active railroad tracks to connect the river with the Bywater community. A post shared by BJ Knights (@bj_knights) on Sep 5, 2016 at 8:32am PDT"

"In the French Market District, Crescent Park is a linear park, 1.4 miles long beside the Mississippi. You can get there by crossing the levee and railway via the “rusty bridge”. On the water there’s a supreme view west to the French District and Central Business District, accompanied by lots of public art, a series of mixed-use pavilions, native landscaping and paths for cyclists and pedestrians."

"Finally, head to Crescent Park for a beautiful sunset view of the city, and after the sun goes down venture over to Frenchmen Street for some live jazz and blues. While tourists tend to visit Bourbon Street, you’ll see more locals on Frenchmen. For tonight’s live music, check out this listing by the local radio station."

"This spectacular oasis in the middle of NOLA’s uptown area features multiple picnic spots, playgrounds, a jogging trail, riding stables, a golf course, and more. It stretches from St. Charles Avenue (making it an easy trip on the streetcar) to Magazine Street, and right across Magazine, you’ll find the impressive Audubon Zoo."

"Formerly the plantation of Etienne de Boré, the father of the granulated-sugar industry in Louisiana, this large, lush patch of greenery…"

"Funded by the WPA, the City Park Rose Garden, as it was called when it opened in 1936, has been expanded over the years to fit 12 acres of land featuring more than 2,000 varieties of plants from all over the world. In the early 1980s, the space was renamed the New Orleans Botanical Garden, but what has remained are the 10 sculptures commissioned by Mexican-American relief artist Enrique Alférez."

"While meandering the New Orleans Botanical Garden, families can really take it easy in the Big Easy. Featuring more than 2,000 plants from around the world, aspiring naturalists will adore identifying plants and showing off their favorites. Open all year round, families can explore ten acres of thoughtfully designed gardens."

"The name of this sugarcane plantation on the west bank of the Mississippi in St. James Parish comes from the graceful 240-metre alley of southern live oaks running from the riverside to the Greek Revival house. These were planted in the early 1700s, a good century before the house was built, and their twisting branches form a beautiful shade canopy. The house went up in 1837 and has a colonnade with 28 imposing Doric columns, mirroring the 28 oaks in the alley."

"About a one-hour drive from the centre of New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation is well worth a visit if you’re heading out of the city. Now, a tour here will usually mean a two-hour stay but it’s well worth it if you want to learn more about the history of this house and plantation at your own pace. It’s easily one of the best things to do in New Orleans if you’ve got a car or on a wider road trip (like we were)."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"Arcing around the east bank of the Mississippi opposite Algiers Point is a riverside park laid out in the 1980s and 90s on the site of former wharves and warehouses. Woldenberg Park fronts the French Quarter and is bordered to the south by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy Giant Screen Theater. During the French Quarter Festival in early April the main stages are put up in Woldenberg Park."

"For a day of exploring in the French Quarter, Woldenberg Park is an essential stop. Located right where the Quarter meets the mighty Mississippi, the park begins at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and runs along the water to St. Philip Street. Picnic spots, gazebos, and waterfront benches provide some of the city’s best views of the river."

"Located in the French Market, Meals from the Heart Café is a quaint back-alley French Quarter café that serves a healthy variety of gluten-free and vegan dishes. Focused on serving delicious and tasty cuisine prepared from only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and produce from artisanal farms, Meals from the Heart Café is a popular breakfast spot with food-lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and health-nuts. The menu features dishes such as crab cake passion, egg white omelets with a variety of sumptuous vegetarian and meat fillings, egg scrambles, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, freshly prepared salads and quinoa bowls, and homemade granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit bowls."

"With a variety of crispy toasts for you to try (avocado’s our favorite), savory grain bowls, salads, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies, The Daily Beet’s tasty, fresh vegetarian creations can be found downtown on Girod or in a brightly lit stall in St. Roch Market. The only thing that’s more pleasing than the delish food is the collection of bright and beautiful photos on The Daily Beet’s Instagram. Stay in the neighborhood a while and try out another incredible restaurant for dinner."

"We were in an Uber on the way to a basketball game, and as we drove by, the word Beet caught my eye. I had to look it up later, and now, it's probably my favorite vegetarian restaurant in New Orleans ... I come here at least once on every trip to NOLA."

"Located on the corner of St. Louis at Royal Street, the Rib Room has been the haunt of literary greats and the politically infamous for over 50 years. The Rib Room’s rotisserie remains a focal point of the menu of classic to contemporary dishes."

"Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St., (504) 529-7045; www.ribroomneworleans.com. Pan-seared Gulf fish amandine is served with sauteed garlic kale and parsley potatoes. Reservations recommended."

"Less than a block away from the wild spirits of Bourbon Street, Broussard’s provides the older, classic depiction of New Orleans eating. Their patio overlooks a lush, tropical courtyard that remains as elegant as it was in the restaurant’s founding in 1920. With the newer influence of chef Neal Swidler, manager Chris Ycaza, and bartender Paul Gustings, Broussard’s is sure to remain a French Quarter staple for years to come."

"This has been an iconic restaurant opened since 1920 in New Orleans. The restaurant has maintained this family-run legacy with its amazing local Creole cuisines packed with other classic dishes inspired from diverse Persian cuisines. Over the years, Broussard’s has renovated this property to maintain an incomparable dining experience for its customers."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user robbiesaurus used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Enjoy a delectable selection of meals served in a fine dining spot or in an intimate courtyard, the place is really up to you. This Creole restaurant has charmed its guests for almost 100 years."

"With New Orleans’ strong Gallic history—it was established as a French colony way back in 1718—it’s no surprise that the city is dotted with French cafés and bistros both new-wave and traditional. One of the best examples of the latter is Café Degas, New Orleans’ longest-running French restaurant; it's beloved by locals for its cozy atmosphere, romantic back patio and spot-on renditions of classic French fare. Order a bottle of vin rouge, settle in with a plate of house-made pâtés or a hearty steak-frites, and pretend you’re in Paris for the night."

"Named after the 19th-century painter Edgar Degas, Café Degas is a cozy French bistro that features reasonably priced French-inspired cuisine with a touch of Creole. On warm days and evenings, the front windows are opened up to the street. Don’t forget to order the La Gratinée d’Oignons, which is French onion soup with crispy croutons and bubbly Swiss cheese."

"Cafe Degas is a European style French bistro housed in the leafy Bayou St. John neighborhood along the Esplanade Ridge. A metal-roofed porch enclosed in plastic houses the quirky dining room. Ceiling fans and metal garden tables and chairs with tapestry cushions flank the tight but charming space."

"Nestled in a charming Mid-City neighborhood cottage, Biscuits & Buns on Banks has gone from a locals hangout to a place well-known for some of the best American & Creole breakfast and lunch creations around. The eclectic menu includes a selection of freshly brewed coffees along with some seriously delicious vittles like the stuffed French toast, hearty crab & brie omelet, and the “wafflewhich”. A few of the restaurant’s accolades include one of Eater New Orleans 19 Essential Breakfast Spots and Best Brunches in New Orleans to Heal Your Hangover."

"At some point, you'll need a break from nonstop seafood and hearty po' boys, and there's no better palette cleanse than a soft, warm breakfast biscuit. The restaurant itself is hard to miss, as it's located in a distinctive shotgun house. The biscuits at Biscuits and Buns are exceptionally versatile."

"Comfy coffee shop with sidewalk seating serving American & Creole breakfast & lunch standards. Open for breakfast and lunchDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-273-4600"

"(601 Decatur St.) If it’s classic New Orleans fare you are looking for with a price that won’t blow your travel budget, this is the place for you. With a wide variety of seafood platters, crawfish (when in season), muffulettas, and traditional po-boys all tastes are sure to be satisfied. And did we mention its perfect location?"

"A French Quarter landmark, Café Maspero opened its doors in 1971 and has been slinging Southern favorites ever since. The best way to enjoy a New Orleans classic dish is at a classic New Orleans restaurant. Who knew the simple combination of rice, Gulf shrimp, smoked sausage, chicken, and vegetables could be so tasty?"

"Cafe Maspero can be a bit of a tourist haven, but for good reason. The food is reliable and affordable, and there's something on the menu for a variety of palates, including both those that love Creole food and those that prefer something less exotic."